Welcome to the Whiskey Wine & Blues Festival!

Our BIG day is near, and we can feel the excitement! We need your immediate attention to ensure all compliance checks are complete. Please consider this document the final set of instructions and the definitive agreement for your participation.

Review this entire message carefully, paying special attention to deadlines, setup times, and event policies. Failure to comply with the outlined procedures will result in loss of space and forfeiture of fees.

Vendors are responsible for collecting and reporting all applicable sales tax on items sold. In addition, vendors are responsible for any federal, state, or local taxes due on sales. Hospitality tax must be paid to the City of Columbia for all food and beverage sales, and appropriate licenses must be displayed during the event. All vendors must submit proof of insurance when submitting their applications. Applications without valid insurance certificates will not be processed. If you are in need of insurance for the festival, you may purchase coverage from the following website: www.insurance4exhibitors.com.

City Business License

Our Group Event License will cover the license and decals for all vendors for the duration of the event. Vendors participating in multiple events will be required to have their own business license. The City of Columbia Business License Office is located at the corner of Main and Washington Streets. You may contact them by phone or visit their website if you have questions.

Food Vendors must collect, report, and remit the City of Columbia Hospitality Tax to:

Business License Division
1339 Main Street (1st Floor), Columbia, SC 29201
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 147, Columbia, SC 29217
Phone: 803-545-3345

SC Retail License

All vendors are required to obtain a South Carolina Retail License in order to sell at the festival. Please check with the City of Columbia Business Office for requirements.

Food vendors must also provide a menu with prices. Only one national retailer per brand will be accepted.

Vendor Provisions by Type

Spirits Tasting Experience – Ice Provided (Text 803-638-8689 with your booth number)

• 10’ x 10’ booth space
• 1 table with linen
• Basic brand signage
• Designated space
• Tabletop décor/signs/banners allowed
• Logo and click-through on festival website
• Social media blast
• Ice access

Wine, Beer & Specialty Vendors – Ice Provided (Text 803-638-8689 with your booth number)

• 6–8 ft booth space
• 1 table with linen
• Basic brand signage
• Designated space
• Tabletop décor/signs/banners allowed
• Logo and website link
• Social media blast
• Ice access

Food Vendors

• Food trailer or 6–8 ft. booth space (includes 1 table and linen)
• Basic brand signage
• Designated space
• Tabletop décor/signs/banners allowed

Corporate, Small Business & Artisan Vendors

• Designated vendor area space
• Tents not included 

Event Policy

Food Vendors and Corporate, Small Business & Artisan Vendors will receive two (2) complimentary vendor passes. Spirits and Wine, Beer & Specialty Vendors will receive passes based on the number of ambassadors agreed upon during initial notifications. These passes are designated for staff members who will be actively engaging with attendees at your booth. Anyone accompanying your team for leisure must purchase a general admission ticket, which will be scanned at the gate.

If additional staffing is required, extra vendor passes may be purchased at a reduced rate of $25 per pass. Passes can be purchased here: [Link to Purchase Vendor Pass]. Security will verify these passes at the gate.

This is a 21 and older event. All team members must be 21 years of age or older. No children or pets are permitted on festival grounds unless they are certified service animals.

Set Up and Location Assignments

Setup time is from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM on the morning of the festival. Booths and food trailers must be ready for business by 11:00 AM. Vendors arriving after 10:00 AM will be considered late and will not be allowed to set up. No refunds will be issued for late arrivals.

The event will take place at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds, 901 George Rogers Blvd., Columbia, SC 29201. Vendors will enter through Gate 11, located on Bluff Road. This is the primary entrance for exhibitors and those with parking passes. You will be given an envelope containing your parking pass, the allotted number of vendor passes, and wristbands for all individuals accounted for per our agreement. SEE DIAGRAM BELOW

After unloading, please park in the designated vendor parking area. All vehicles must be removed from the festival area by 10:00 AM. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Festival hours are from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Gates open at 11:00 AM for VIP participants only. Vendors may not begin breaking down booths until after 5:30 PM. In case of an emergency, contact Veronica at (803) 638-8689.

At the end of the event, vendors should break down all equipment, clean their space, and retrieve their vehicles for loading, entering and exiting through the same gate. Dumpsters will be provided for vendor use. All other trash receptacles are for attendees only.

Age Verification

Vendors must ensure that alcohol is served only to individuals who are 21 years of age or older. Age verification will be enforced using a wristband system managed by event staff. Only guests wearing an official wristband may be served. Vendors must refuse service to anyone without a wristband or anyone suspected to be underage. SEE DIAGRAM BELOW

Vendor Assignments & Safety

Vendor locations are assigned by the Whiskey, Wine & Blues Committee and cannot be changed. Vendors are not permitted to sublease, sell, or share their space. An email has been sent with the festival layout indicating your vendor location and/or booth number. Festival staff and volunteers will be available to assist you upon arrival.

Any vendor found attempting to occupy another vendor’s space will receive a warning. A second offense will result in removal from the event — NO EXCEPTIONS. NO REFUNDS.

In case of emergency, notify on-site City of Columbia or Public Safety Officers immediately before contacting festival staff. Both on-duty and undercover security will be present to ensure the safety of all participants.

Failure to comply with the festival guidelines will result in immediate termination of vendor privileges and forfeiture of fees.

We are incredibly excited to have you join us for this inaugural festival and appreciate your cooperation and professionalism in following all guidelines. If you have any questions, please email info@whiskeywineblues.com. My team will respond within 24–48 hours.

Sincerely,

Veronica Mitchell  (803) 638-8689